RIYADH: Women members of the Dammam branch of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) visited a private girls’ school in Eastern Province last week to answer pupils’ questions on children’s rights.
The HRC members visited the school to answer queries on the rights of children in education and health care, and discuss abuse and sexual harassment.
Amal Al-Dar, social worker at the HRC’s children’s department, was one of the HRC staff who visited the school. Al-Dar explained to pupils that the best way to spread an understanding of human rights is by respecting “those who are different … in color and race,” and by “adopting good morals and helping others.”
Pupils welcomed the HRC representatives by reciting poetry about human rights and asking questions such as when the Kingdom became a signatory of international agreements on children’s rights. Al-Dar said the issue of children’s rights was explained to the schoolgirls in an easy to understand manner.
In response to a query about the best way to protect themselves from the sexual harassment at the hands of domestic workers at home, Al-Dar said girls should be loud, inform their parents and escape the situation.
Students were also asked why they felt applying children’s rights is important. Al-Dar also pointed out that the main reason for establishing the HRC was to safeguard children’s rights, and to give them the opportunity to live in a healthy and safe environment.
Al-Dar also asked the girls to contact her if they have any other queries. She added that the HRC is to work jointly with the school in organizing human rights workshops for pupils and teachers.
Pupils also presented the delegation with artwork depicting their vision of human rights.
